European Commission approves Russia’s project for construction of Belene NPP

07.11.2007 // Press service of Atomstroyexport CJSC

European Commission has approved Atomstroyexport’s project for the construction of Belene NPP

The press service of the National Electric Company of Bulgaria reports that the Directorate General for Energy and Transport of the European Commission has ruled that the preliminary agreement for the construction of Belene NPP concluded on Nov 29 2006 is not contrary to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community and is fully practicable.

The principal agreement for the construction of Belene NPP is expected to be signed in Dec. The construction of two 1000 MW reactors is to be launched on Jan 1 2008 and to be completed in 2015. The total cost of the project is almost 4bln EUR.

The decision of the European Commission has proved once again that Atomstroyexport’s project meets all European standards and IAEA requirements.

Note

On Oct 31 2006 the National Electric Company of Bulgaria proclaimed Atomstroyexport as the winner of the tender for the construction of Belene NPP. The key advantage of the NPP-92 project is enhanced safety. Belene NPP will have a unique system combining both active and passive safety regimes and a trap for melted reactor core.

The plant will also have a modern digital automated process control system manufactured by Siemens. Part of the equipment will be supplied by Areva NP.

Atomstroyexport is the leading Russian organization implementing inter-governmental agreements for the construction of nuclear power plants abroad. After the launch of Tianwan NPP in China, ASE continues building Kudankulam NPP in India, Bushehr NPP in Iran and Belene NPP in Bulgaria.